2. Contact Info

3. Dealer Selection

As Chrysler‘s second-best seller behind the Ram — and one of its most-recognizable offerings — the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a vehicle that doesn’t receive updates without anybody noticing, especially if they’re significant. And while the cosmetic changes made to the Grand Cherokee for 2014 are minor, the powertrain changes are anything but.

The big news is the updated fuel economy. Thanks to the addition of an eight-speed automatic as standard equipment, the Grand Cherokee’s 3.6-liter V-6’s fuel economy gets a bump to 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, an improvement of 1 mpg in the city for the 4×2 models, and a 2 mpg highway improvement for all models. The 5.7-liter V-8-powered model gets a 1 mpg bump in both city and highway fuel economy to 15 mpg city for 4×2 models and 14 mpg for 4×4 models, with highway fuel economy going up to 21 mpg combined. Fuel economy isn’t the only thing that improves. Maximum towing capacity on the V-6 model goes up to 6200 pounds, while the bad-boy SRT model goes from an unremarkable 5000 pounds to 7200.

More significant for the 2014 Grand Cherokee’s fuel economy is the arrival of the long-awaited diesel model. It’s powered by a 3.0-liter, turbodiesel V-6 sourced from Italy’s VM Motori that’s good for 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, which comes at just 2000 rpm. Like the gasoline models, it’s mated to eight-speed automatic. The powertrain combination results in impressive fuel economy figures of 21/30 mpg city/highway for 4×2 models and 20/28 mpg city/highway for 4×4 models. It can also tow up to 7400 pounds. On the technical side, the engine features a 60-degree cylinder bank angle for optimum balance, a high-pressure 29,000 psi common-rail injection system, and a water-cooled turbocharger. It is B5 compliant. It also gets a fluid-based SCR catalyst system to make it Tier II, Bin 5 emissions-compliant, meaning that the diesel Grand Cherokee will for the first time be available in all 50 states.

To optimize efficiency even further, the 2014 Grand Cherokee offers an available Eco Mode. On models equipped with the air suspension, it lowers ride height at speeds above 56 mph and optimizes the transmission’s shift schedule. On the Hemi model, it also engages cylinder deactivation more aggressively to save fuel.

That air suspension system, dubbed Quadra-Lift, also gives the driver the choice of three ride-height settings. The normal setting gives the vehicle 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Off-Road 1 lifts the vehicle 1.3 inches for a total of 10 inches of clearance, and Off-Road 2 raises it another 1.3 inches for 11.3 inches of clearance. Aero mode lowers the vehicle 0.6 inches below normal ride height for optimal aerodynamics. The three four-wheel drive systems, Quadra-Drive I, Quadra-Drive II and Quadra-Trac II carry over from 2013, with Quadra-Trac II adding an electronic limited-slip rear differential.

Cosmetically, changes are numerous enough to make the 2014 Grand Cherokee stand out as a new model. Up front, it gets thinner-profile front light clusters with bi-xenon HID headlights and LED driving light surrounds standard on the Overland and new Summit trim, and optional on the Limited trim level. The fog lights have been repositioned and get new surrounds for a more upscale look.

In the back, all 2014 Grand Cherokees get LED taillights, and the Jeep logo on the tailgate is moved up and enlarged as a stand-alone detail. The Summit model adds additional exterior accents in the form of a mesh grille and unique exterior badging. The high-po SRT model gets a menacing blackout grille treatment to help it stand out from its non-performance-oriented siblings.

Interior changes are limited. All 2014 Grand Cherokee models get the stubby T-bar electronic shifter first seen in the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, plus a new three-spoke steering wheel, with the SRT getting a unique flat-bottomed version. All come with paddle shifters. The SRT also receives a launch control feature for optimum power and acceleration.

It all adds up to a seemingly minor yet quite substantial update that should give the Grand Cherokee a significant sales boost. We can’t wait to get behind the wheel and on the trail with the 2014 Grand Cherokee, especially the new diesel model. Stay tuned.

We’ve Temporarily Removed Comments

As part of our ongoing efforts to make MotorTrend.com better, faster, and easier for you to use, we’ve temporarily removed comments as well as the ability to comment. We’re testing and reviewing options to possibly bring comments back. As always, thanks for reading MotorTrend.com.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee News and Reviews

The line between luxury and mainstream has officially been blurred. In the U.S. market, luxury car brands such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW have moved down market to try to pick up sales that would otherwise go to mainstream automakers. On the other hand, brands such as Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, and Honda have been introducing products that punch above their weight…

Recycling parts at the end of a car's life is a good environmental move, but auto manufacturers are taking it one step further by going green right from the start. Several companies use recycled or renewable materials to make automotive parts like foam and plastics. While this has been a practice for some automakers for several years now, it's becoming…

If you were mostly nice during 2014, there's a good chance Santa paid most of you a visit with everything you wanted on your Christmas list. To ensure nothing gets left behind while transporting your goods, check out these vehicles with plenty of cargo space. Minivans and commercial cargo vans were left out (Santa's generous, but he doesn't spoil) and…

With people- and cargo-carrying ability, elevated driving position, and foul-weather capability, SUVs have become one of the most popular segments in the United States. We've compiled a list of the 20 top-selling SUVs of 2014 through the end of November based on automaker sales releases. Of course, the December sales push could alter the finishing order, but here's where the…

Luxury can mean different things to different people, but one word many associate with the term is "expensive." While it's true you'll pay extra to get a car that pampers you and makes you stand out from the crowd, you might not need to fork over as much as you think. We've put together a list of vehicles that check…